Panama City man NSWC's Sailor of the Year

Wednesday

Jan 11, 2017 at 4:25 PMJan 11, 2017 at 4:45 PM

Navy Diver 1st Class Taylor Arney was among 10 Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) NSWC sailors who competed for the initial headquarters award, said NSWC PCD spokeswoman Katherine Mapp. And it's only the start; he will be headed to the nation's capital next month to compete for NAVSEA Sailor of the Year.

COLLIN BREAUX News Herald Reporter @PCNHCollinB

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Taylor Arney was in Key West on a temporary assignment last month when he found out he was named Sailor of the Year for the Naval Surface Warfare Center Headquarters.

A mix of shock and relief washed over Arney, a Navy diver first class currently assigned to Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), where he manages the daily operations of 30 military and civilian divers.

“It was surprising a little but also relieving since I worked hard,” he said Wednesday. “There was a lot of competition. I got to tell my wife and kids. They loved that.”

Arney was among 10 Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) NSWC sailors who competed for the initial headquarters award, said NSWC PCD spokeswoman Katherine Mapp. And it’s only the start; he will be headed to the nation’s capital next month to compete for NAVSEA Sailor of the Year.

“We’re excited to be going up there, but the real competition is going to be stiff because it’s sailors from all over the fleet," Arney said. “The Pacific fleet and the Atlantic fleet will be competing for highest honors, so it’s going to be exciting. It’s going to be nerve-racking.”

As a leading petty officer, his managerial skills resulted in the NSWC PCD Dive Locker receiving the highest grade possible on the most recent NAVSEA Safety Survey, Mapp said. His daily supervising responsibilities include diving, training, recompression and equipment maintenance.

Others at NSWC PCD also attested to Arney’s leadership skills.

“Arney demonstrates a diverse skill set and strong performance in austere environments," NSWC PCD Commanding Officer Capt. Phillip E. Dawson III said. “His familiarity with operations under the most demanding diving conditions is an invaluable resource for ensuring the safety of personnel assigned under him. Additionally, he is a leader, manager and supervisor with the operational experience and technical ability to lead anyone, anywhere, anytime and in any environment.”

The award is something Arney said he shares with his peers because NSWC PCD is a team effort where everyone works together to accomplish the mission. Every day is something new, he added, and there always are exciting projects going on.

And for the sailor who has logged 16½ years in the military so far, several of those here, it all comes back to heritage, given his family’s history of serving and Bay County’s rich diving tradition.

“It’s just an honor and a privilege being able to wake up knowing I carry on a long line of tradition,” Arney said. “That’s what we’re called to do. It’s something all Americans should aspire to do.”